KNIK CAR # : 56

1951	Ordered by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, more commonly known as the Milwaukee Road, from the Pullman Standard Company for delivery in 1952.
1952	Delivered in December the car officially begins service January 1, 1953.
	Original car had 68 forward facing seats in the dome and a 28 seat cafe on the lower level. Car was built for service on the "Olympian Hiawatha" from Chicago to Seattle/Tacoma and on the "Morning" or "Afternoon Hiawathas" between Chicago and Twin Cities.
1958/1961	The various Hiawathas are combined east of Minneapolis and then the "Olympian Hiawatha" is canceled. The car and five of its mates become surplus to actual needs and serve on various short haul routes in the Midwest.
1964	The six surplus cars are sold to Canadian National Railway for service on the "Super Continental" and "Panoramafor service between Winnipeg or Edmonton and Vancouver. Car is renumbered 2403 and named "Fraser".
1974	Car is transferred to "VIA" (Canada's version of Amtrak), renumbered 2703 and reseated to a 29 seat coach and 27 seat lounge in the dome.
1982	Retired from service due to deteriorating condition the cars are sold to a Winnipeg metal recycler.
1983	Car is purchased by a startup tour operator for service in Alaska
1989	Car is rebuilt for service behind Amtrak's "Coast Starlight" as the privately run "California Sun Express". Car is acquired by Amtrak in 1990 after service folds due to poor ridership.
1990	Amtrak introduces the car on its premier "Auto Train" service between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. as a dome diner, renumbered as #9312.
1995	Amtrak begins to replace its "Auto Train" consists with new equipment. Car is sold at auction to Holland America on November 17, 1995. Car begins trip to West right after Christmas.
1996	January, car arrives in Tillamook, Oregon for refurbishment. In February the tracks to Tillamook are washed out by flooding. Tracks open day before car leaves for Alaska. Refurbishment cost is $424,000. May 16 car leaves for Alaska.
	June 1996 : first Anchorage-Denali-Fairbanks revenue trip.